Investigating the protective effect of Aloe vera gel on the endocrine tissue of the pituitary gland in rats receiving lead acetate

Lead is one of the most important heavy metals polluting the environment and it enters the body of humans and animals through digestion and breathing and has toxic effects on different body tissues. In the present study, the protective properties of Aloe vera plant gel in the pituitary tissue following lead acetate poisoning were investigated.

In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups including; The control group: (normal saline, IP), lead acetate group: (20 mg/kg/day, IP), lead acetate-Aloe vera group: lead acetate (20 mg/kg/day, IP) + Aloe vera gel (400 mg/kg/day, oral) and Aloe vera group: Aloe vera gel (400 mg/kg/day, oral). After six weeks, the rats were euthanized and the pituitary glands from each animal were dissected. For the microscopic examination of tissue sections, hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed.

The results of the present study showed that treatment with lead acetate caused changes such as weight loss (P < 0.05), atrophy, and hyperemia, as well as tissue changes, including a general decrease in the number of cells in the pituitary gland (P < 0.05). Administration of Aloe vera gel (400 mg/kg) improved all the microscopic complications and disorders and macroscopic changes caused by lead acetate in the pituitary tissue.

It can be concluded that Aloe vera played an ameliorative role in the lead acetate-mediated pituitary injury in rats.